2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU Cool

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 301
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a lowlevel, the brake warning light comeson. SeeBrake System WarningLight0124.
Brake fluid absorbs water over timewhich degrades the effectiveness ofthe brake fluid. Replace brake fluidat the specified intervals to preventincreased stopping distance. SeeMaintenance Schedule0369.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3brake fluid from a clean, sealedcontainer. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants0377.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery ismaintenance free. Do not removethe cap and do not add fluid.
The non-hybrid vehicle has astandard 12-volt battery under thehood. SeeEngine CompartmentOverview0283.
Refer to the replacement numbershown on the original battery labelwhen a new 12-volt battery isneeded.
Hybrid Vehicle
The hybrid vehicle 12-volt battery isin the trunk on the driver side.Hybrid vehicles also have a highvoltage battery. Only a trainedservice technician with the properknowledge and tools should inspect,test, or replace the high voltagebattery. See your dealer if the highvoltage battery needs service. Thedealer has information on how torecycle the high voltage battery.
The hybrid high voltage battery iscooled with air drawn from thevehicle interior. The cold air intakefor the battery is under the rearseat. Do not block the area in frontof the cold air intake.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
310 Vehicle Care
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuitbreakers to protect against anelectrical system overload.
When the current electrical load istoo heavy, the circuit breaker opensand closes, protecting the circuituntil the current load returns tonormal or the problem is fixed. Thisgreatly reduces the chance of circuitoverload and fire caused byelectrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protectpower devices in the vehicle.
Replace a bad fuse with a new oneof the identical size and rating.
If there is a problem on the road andafuseneedstobereplaced,thesame amperage fuse can beborrowed. Choose some feature ofthe vehicle that is not needed andreplace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may causethe lamps to go on and off, or insome cases to remain off. Have theheadlamp wiring checkedright away.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due toheavy snow or ice, the windshieldwipers will stop until the motor coolsand will then restart.
Although the circuit is protectedfrom electrical overload, overloaddue to heavy snow or ice maycause wiper linkage damage.Always clear ice and heavy snowfrom the windshield before using thewindshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by anelectrical problem and not snow orice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses
The wiring circuits in the vehicle areprotected from short circuits byfuses. This greatly reduces thechance of damage caused byelectrical problems.
To c h e c k a f u s e , l o o k a t t h esilver-colored band inside the fuse.If the band is broken or melted,replace the fuse. Be sure to replaceabadfusewithanewoneoftheidentical size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage canbe temporarily borrowed fromanother fuse location, if a fuse goesout. Replace the fuse as soon aspossible.
To i d e n t i f y a n d c h e c k f u s e s , c i r c u i tbreakers, and relays, seeEngineCompartment Fuse Block0311andInstrument Panel Fuse Block0315.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
314 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
57 Transmissionauxiliary pump
58–
59 High-beamheadlamps
60 Cooling fan
61–
62–
63–
65 A/C (HEV)
67–
68–
69 Right low-beam HIDheadlamp
70 Left low-beam HIDheadlamp
72 Starter pinion
74 Starter motor
75 Engine control module
76 Powertrain off engine
77–
FusesUsage
78 Horn
79 Washer pump
81 Transmission controlmodule/Engine controlmodule
83 Ignition coil
84 Powertrain on engine
85 Engine control moduleswitch 2
86 Engine control moduleswitch 1
87 SAIR pump
88 Aeroshutter
89 Headlamp washer
91–
92 TPIM MGU pump
93 Active headlampleveling
95 SAIR solenoid
96 Fuel heater
97–
99 Coolant pump
RelaysUsage
04 AC DC inverter
20 Rear defogger
25 Front wiper control
31 Run/Crank
37 Front wiper speed
42 Transmissionauxiliary pump
64 A/C control
66 Powertrain
71 Low-beam HIDheadlamps
73 Starter motor
80 Starter pinion
90 SAIR solenoid
94 Headlamp washer
98 SAIR pump

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 323
Bead:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:Apneumatictire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeTire
Pressure0325.
Curb Weight:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:Acodemolded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. SeeVehicle Load
Limits0222.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits0222.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits0222.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:
The side of an asymmetrical tire
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric
unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A
tire used on light duty trucks and
some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index:An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure:
The maximum air pressure to
which a cold tire can be inflated.
The maximum air pressure is
molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The
load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible inflation
pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle
Weight:The sum of curb
weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight, and
production options weight.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
328 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a TirePressure Monitor System (TPMS).The TPMS is designed to warn thedriver when a low tire pressurecondition exists. TPMS sensors aremounted onto each tire and wheelassembly, excluding the spare tireand wheel assembly. The TPMSsensors monitor the air pressure inthe tires and transmits the tirepressure readings to a receiverlocated in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure conditionis detected, the TPMS illuminatesthe low tire pressure warning lightlocated on the instrument cluster.If the warning light comes on, stopas soon as possible and inflate thetires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and LoadingInformation label. SeeVehicle LoadLimits0222.
AmessagetocheckthepressureinaspecifictiredisplaysintheDriverInformation Center (DIC). The lowtire pressure warning light and theDIC warning message come on ateach ignition cycle until the tires areinflated to the correct inflationpressure. Using the DIC, tirepressure levels can be viewed. Foradditional information and detailsabout the DIC operation anddisplays seeDriver InformationCenter (DIC) (Base Level)0131orDriver Information Center (DIC)(Uplevel)0134.
The low tire pressure warning lightmay come on in cool weather whenthe vehicle is first started, and thenturn off as the vehicle is driven. Thiscould be an early indicator that theair pressure is getting low andneeds to be inflated to the properpressure.
ATire and Loading Informationlabel, attached to your vehicle,shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correctinflation pressure for the tires whenthey are cold. SeeVehicle LoadLimits0222,foranexampleoftheTire and Loading Information labeland its location. Also seeTirePressure0325.
The TPMS can warn about a lowtire pressure condition but it doesnot replace normal tiremaintenance. SeeTire Inspection0331,Tire Rotation0331andTires0317.
Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all
the same. A non-approved tire
sealant could damage the TPMS
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use only
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
332 Vehicle Care
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See“Wheel
Nut Torque”underCapacities
and Specifications0381.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
ascraperorwirebrushlaterto
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors such as maintenance,temperatures, driving speeds,vehicle loading, and road conditionsaffect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way totell when it is time for new tires.Treadwear indicators appear whenthe tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)or less of tread remaining. SeeTireInspection0331andTireRotation0331.
The rubber in tires ages over time.This also applies to the spare tire,if the vehicle has one, even if it isnever used. Multiple factorsincluding temperatures, loadingconditions, and inflation pressuremaintenance affect how fast agingtakes place. GM recommends thattires, including the spare ifequipped, be replaced after sixyears, regardless of tread wear. Thetire manufacture date is the last fourdigits of the DOT Tire IdentificationNumber (TIN) which is molded intoone side of the tire sidewall. Thefirst two digits represent the week(01–52) and the last two digits, theyear. For example, the third week ofthe year 2010 would have afour-digit DOT date of 0310.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normallymounted on a parked vehicle. Parkavehiclethatwillbestoredforatleast a month in a cool, dry, cleanarea away from direct sunlight toslow aging. This area should be free

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 337
Warning (Continued)
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
acrash.Alwaysusethecorrect
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
If the vehicle has 245/45R18 or
245/40R19 size tires, do not use
tire chains. There is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount
of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension,
or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could
cause loss of control and a crash.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels. If
traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with a
tire size other than 245/45R18 or
245/40R19, use tire chains only
where legal and only when
necessary. Use low profile chains
that add no more than 12 mm
thickness to the tire tread and
inner sidewall. Use chains that
are the proper size for the tires.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
360 Vehicle Care
The bright metal moldings on thevehicle are aluminum, chrome,or stainless steel. To preventdamage always follow thesecleaning instructions:
.Be sure the molding is cool tothe touch before applying anycleaning solution.
.Use only approved cleaningsolutions for aluminum, chrome,or stainless steel. Somecleaners are highly acidic orcontain alkaline substances andcan damage the moldings.
.Always dilute a concentratedcleaner according to themanufacturer’sinstructions.
.Do not use cleaners that are notintended for automotive use.
.Use a nonabrasive wax on thevehicle after washing to protectand extend the molding finish.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses, Emblems, Decals, and
Stripes
Use only lukewarm or cold water, asoft cloth, and a car washing soapto clean exterior lamps, lenses,emblems, decals, and stripes.Follow instructions under "Washingthe Vehicle" previously in thissection.
Lamp covers are made of plastic,and some have a UV protectivecoating. Do not clean or wipe themwhile they are dry.
Do not use any of the following onlamp covers:
.Abrasive or caustic agents.
.Washer fluids and other cleaningagents in higher concentrationsthan suggested by themanufacturer.
.Solvents, alcohols, fuels,or other harsh cleaners.
.Ice scrapers or other hard items.
.Aftermarket appearance caps orcovers while the lamps areilluminated, due to excessiveheat generated.
Caution
Failure to clean lamps properly
can cause damage to the lamp
cover that would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Using wax on low gloss black
finish stripes can increase the
gloss level and create a
non-uniform finish. Clean low
gloss stripes with soap and
water only.
Air Intakes
Clear debris from the air intakes,between the hood and windshieldwhen washing the vehicle.